MSU’s John C. Stennis Institute of Government launched its initial program of “Mississippi’s Economic Report.” Designed to increase Mississippians information on a variety of issues that affect the state’s economy, the program utilizes web-based video technology to reach citizens and newswriters and anchors across the state.
“This program really fits hand in glove with what MSU is trying to do, and has already done, to further information and technology within the state. The program itself is an innovative approach to getting the news out there. Web-based news programs of this type are extremely rare. Some major news channels, such as FOX or CNN, carry portions of their programs over the Web, but this is perhaps the only program that promotes specific in-depth coverage of a topic by a university-affiliated institution,” Philip Pierce, Stennis Institutes Coordinator of Research and Development said.
“I think that this program is a great reflection on Mississippi State University,” senior Sarah Holter said. “It’s a perfect illustration of both the University’s interest in promoting higher levels of technology statewide as well as its interest in promoting the economic development of our state.”
According to Pierce, the program actually derives its roots from “press lunches” hosted by the Stennis Institute over the past eight years. Generally taking the format of in-depth political interviews with various state political, economic and educational representatives, the lunches served as a round table for journalists to ask questions and remain informed about current issues.
“When we first began promoting our press lunches, we did so with the intention of keeping our media informed of the issues and concerns that shaped the actions of our state’s representatives,” Pierce said. “This said, it is our belief that an informed media is directly related to an informed public. The more our media knows, and the better the quality of their information, the better their stories will be tomorrow or even six months in the future.”
However, Pierce admits that the press lunches also opened both his eyes of himself and his colleagues’ eyes.
“As time progressed, we began to see a need for something more. In most cases, the press lunches took a fairly political aspect, and we began to discuss ways to endorse a broader scope of issues. It is our intention that this program, through its use of the Internet, will serve as a tool to reach both interested media personnel and Mississippians across the state with information on the latest economic issues affecting Mississippi.”
The program itself is broadcasted over the Internet once a month and is hosted by Phil Hardwick, Mississippi Valley Gas vice president of Community & Economic Development.
“We are very fortunate that Hardwick agreed to participate in the project. He’s perfect for the job and stays on the cutting edge of what is going on with the state’s economy,” he said.
The program will bring in individuals with either (or both) a political and business background to discuss current economic trends within the state.
The first program, which has already been run, featured State Treasurer Marshall Bennett. Among the upcoming programs include an in-depth look at the state’s actions directly related to bringing the Nissan plant to the state. Anyone who is interested in viewing the report may simply enter the Stennis Institute’s website and click on “The Mississippi Report” icon to be connected to the video recording.
Although the program is only formatted for video viewing at this time, it is Pierce’s hope that an audio version of the reports will soon be added. Pierce also hopes that the program will soon carry links from the video or audio site to the various businesses or political offices that the reports’ speakers represent.